Diflucan is an anti-fungal antibiotic which is used to treat fungal infections called candidiasis. This medication is prescribed for the treatment of such type of infections as vaginal, throat and fungal infections, infections of the urinary tract, peritonitis, and pneumonia. Diflucan works by killing sensitive fungi by interfering with the formation of the fungal cell membrane.

Dosage and direction

Take it orally once a day, with or without food using the measuring spoon. Take it at the same time each day with a full glass of water if you want to get the best result. Diflucan make you feel better after 24 hours. However, your symptoms will go away completely just after few days. If there is no change in your health after a few days consult your doctor immediately. The dosage for adults may vary from type of infection: 1) Genital thrush - 150mg as a single dose 2) Mucosal thrush - dose depends on where the infection is located 50mg once daily during month. 3)Fungal skin infections - 50mg once daily for 2-4 weeks ; 4) Internal fungal infections 400mg on the first day then 200-400mg once daily for 6-8 weeks or longer if needed. 5) To stop you from getting fungal infections - 50-400mg once daily while you have risk to get an infection; 6) To stop infection caused by Cryptococcus from coming back - 100-200mg once daily indefinitely The dosage for children 4 weeks to 15 years old may also vary from type of infection: 1) mucosal infections - 3mg/kg once daily; 2)internal fungal infections - 6-12mg/kg once daily; 3)prevention of fungal infections - 3-12mg/kg once daily while at risk of getting an infection. For children 2-4 weeks old it is same dose as above but given once every 2 days. A maximum dose of 12mg/kg every 2 days. For children less than 2 weeks old it is same dose as above but given once every 3 days. Do not give more then 12mg/kg every 3 days.Note: this instruction presented here is just for review. It's very necessary to consult your doctor before using. It will help you to get best results.

Precautions

For vaginal yeast infections, doctors usually prescribe a single dose of Diflucan. If the yeast infection does not improve after 5 days, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Be careful with this medication if your medical history include liver disease or kidney disease. Although uncommon, this drug may make you dizzy, so be more attentive while you are driving or using machinery. Limit alcohol intake. Diflucan should not be used during pregnancy, lactation or if you plan to become pregnant without a doctor's advice. Do not use before breast-feeding without a doctor's advice.

Contraindications

Diflucan is not allowed to people who have hypersensitivity to Fluconazole or other anti fungal azole preparations, eg clotrimazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole and other. Also Diflucan contraindicated in: Kidney and liver disorders; Cardiovascular diseases including heart diseases(heart rate or rhythm disturbances); Low blood levels of calcium, magnesium or potassium.

Possible side effect

They may include an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also the most possible side effects include: nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or seizure (convulsions). Less serious include: mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or upset stomach; headache; dizziness; unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth; or skin rash or itching. If you experience one of them stop using Diflucan and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

Drug interaction

Diflucan interact with such medication as: a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin) cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral); an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and others; rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), or midazolam (Versed); seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or valproic acid (Depakene); tacrolimus ((Prograf); theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others). Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Usually it affects the the effect of drugs, so consult your doctor about the way these interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usual dose next day in the same time.

Overdose

Symptoms of Diflucan overdose may include: confusion or unusual thoughts or behavior. If you experience one of them call your doctor immediately.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information on the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.